Mechanisation to help check pollution from stubble burning

(Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi)

Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, November 4

The unique initiative of the happy seeder machine and super straw management system (Super SMS) are proving to be of valuable assistance in checking the rising pollution.

While many farmers are making a new beginning by not burning paddy stubble, the progressive farmers of village Kotla, namely, Gulab Singh and Daler Singh, have set a novel example. On the one hand, Gulab Singh has effected the direct sowing of wheat in 55 acres without resorting to the burning of paddy stubble. On the other, Daler Singh has done it in 65 acres. Not only this, Daler Singh has harvested paddy crop on 300 acres by using Super SMS.

Deputy Commissioner Vipul Ujwal said the burning of paddy stubble has been totally banned in keeping with the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which has resulted in the farmers burying the paddy stubble in the soil itself.

The DC visited the villages Kotla and Theeda, interacted with Gulab Singh and Daler Singh and lauded their path-breaking initiative. He also said that the government is providing a subsidy of Rs 44,000 to the farmers during the purchase of happy seeder machines.

Urging the farmers to desist from burning paddy to save the environment from getting polluted as well as keeping the fertility of the soil intact, the Deputy Commissioner said farmers should adopt new techniques in keeping with the recommendations of the Agriculture Department. He also disclosed that the department is providing subsidy to the tune of 40-50 per cent on the newly developed machines and elaborated that even now, subsidy can be availed on the purchase of happy seeder machines and moulded bold plough from the Agricultural Department, Hoshiarpur.

Vipul Ujwal said new techniques lead to the saving of money of farmers, increase in organic capacity of the soil and saving of fertilizers. It also leads to the minimal use of pesticides.

According to the DC, direct sowing of wheat crop can be done 15-20 days in advance which results in three to four extra quintals of yield, thereby getting rid of the menace of stubble burning. He said farmers can also use paddy stubble in the form of dry fodder for the animals.

Chief Agricultural Officer Dr Vinay Kumar, Soil Estimate Officer Surinder Singh, engineer Yashpal Singh and Agricultural Officer Bhupinder Singh were among those present on the occasion.